What is the role of asset management in CIS v8?

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The Role of Asset Management in CIS v8

As businesses grow, the number of assets they control increases drastically as new employees are onboarded, offices are furnished or renovated, and devices are purchases for all areas within the organisation. An increase in assets means a higher potential for security risks to a business. In response to this threat, and the growing complexity of cyber attacks worldwide, The Center for Internet Security (CIS) established a set of controls known as CIS Controls, which serve as a list of best practices for securing IT systems and associated data. Among these controls, asset management plays a crucial role, particularly in the latest version, CIS v8. This article explores the significance of asset management within CIS v8 and how it contributes to overall cyber security efforts.

Understanding Asset Management in CIS v8

Asset management refers to the systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and disposing of assets. In the context of CIS v8, asset management encompasses both hardware and software assets that are deemed to be critical to an organisation’s operations. The primary goal is to ensure that all assets are accounted for, monitored, and protected against each asset’s potential threats.

Key Components of Asset Management in CIS v8

CIS v8 emphasizes several key components of asset management:

Inventory of Assets: Businesses must maintain a detailed inventory of all enterprise assets, including end-user devices, network devices, servers, and non-computing devices such as IoT devices. This inventory should be accurate and up-to-date, allowing organisations to know exactly what assets they have, where they are located, and what risks are associated with them.

Identification of Unauthorised Assets: It is essential to identify and manage unauthorised assets that may connect to the network. This includes implementing processes to address these assets promptly, whether by removing them from the network or quarantining them until they can be assessed.

Active Discovery Tools: Utilising discovery tools helps organisations identify assets connected to their networks. These tools can execute scans regularly to ensure that the asset inventory remains up-to-date, and as comprehensive as possible.

Importance of Asset Management in Cybersecurity

The role of asset management in cyber security cannot be overstated, especially as cyber threats grow in complexity and frequency. Here are only a few reasons as to why it is so critical:

Visibility: Knowing what assets are present in the environment allows organisations to monitor them effectively. Without knowing what assets you control, it becomes incredibly challenging to protect against vulnerabilities and threats.

Incident Response: In the event of a security incident, having an accurate inventory of assets aids in identifying affected systems and understanding the scope of the breach. This information is vital for effective incident response and any recovery efforts post-incident.

Vulnerability Management: Asset management supports vulnerability management by ensuring that all assets are regularly assessed for weaknesses. This helps organisations mitigate risks before they can be exploited by threat actors.

Compliance: Many regulatory and security frameworks require organisations to maintain accurate records of their assets. Effective asset management helps ensure compliance with these regulations, reducing the risk of penalties and reputational damage.

How OneClickComply Supports Asset Management

OneClickComply allows businesses to automate the implementation of technical controls for cyber security standards like CIS, SOC 2, and ISO 27001. The platform also supports inventory management features, and a risk registry, allowing businesses to track all of their assets from one central location. Furthermore, OneClickComply can automatically generate policies and documents for compliance standards using any assets register into the platform, ensuring that your policies are truly accurate and reflective of your security approach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, asset management is a foundational element of both the CIS v8 framework and other security standards that significantly enhances an organisation’s cyber security posture. By maintaining an accurate inventory of assets, identifying unauthorised devices, and utilising advanced discovery tools, organisations can better protect themselves against cyber threats. Tools like OneClickComply further streamline this process, ensuring that businesses can focus on their core operations while maintaining compliance and security.